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From taking care of yourself to furnishing the nursery to choosing a pediatrician, there’s plenty to do with a baby on the way. Find much of what you need right here, with innovative baby gear designed to meet your needs and baby’s, and expert advice to help you prepare and care for your new arrival.
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 Karen Sokal-Gutierrez, M.D., M.P.H.
By Dr. Sokal-Gutierrez
There's an old expression, "The safest place for a child is in his parents' arms." However, not in the car. In the United States, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death in children over 1 year of age, killing over 2,000 children and injuring over 200,000 each year. Of the children who died, 60% were riding completely unrestrained: not in car seats, boosters, or seat belts.
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Has your back begun to hurt? If not, there's a lot you can do to prevent backache. And if so, you can ease discomfort through stretching and proper body positioning.
Your back bears the brunt of your pregnancy weight. Your ligaments are relaxing to allow baby to pass through your pelvis, and this puts added strain on your back muscles. Your overstretched abdominal muscles also force you to rely on your back to support your middle and upper body. There are also changes in your posture because of your growing belly. The best treatment for a backache is prevention. Whenever you're on your feet, be aware of your posture: make sure the point of your chin is straight with the ground. Notice whether your shoulders are relaxed—they shouldn't be hunched up around your ears. Keep your buttocks tight and your pelvis tucked under; this keeps your body in proper alignment and shifts your weight over your hips.
Here's a stretch recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; do it several times throughout the day. Get down on the floor on your hands and knees. Your knees should be about 8 to 10 inches apart; keep your head toward your knees and your arms extended. Hold this position for five seconds, then slowly come back up on all fours. Repeat five times.
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because
you'll want to stay connected to baby.
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because
soothing and entertaining baby is so important.
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because
it's baby's (and mom's) favorite soother.
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because
there's no such thing as being too clean for baby.
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